Air Force Missileers The Quarterly Newsletter of the Association of Air Force Missileers Volume 29, Number 2 “Advocates for Missileers” June 2021

Sustaining Minuteman The 309th Missile Maintenance Group

Join AAFM in Salt Lake City in October

The Mission of the Association of Air Force Missileers - - Preserving the Heritage of Air Force Missiles and the People Involved With Them - Recognizing Outstanding Missileers - Keeping Missileers Informed - Encouraging Meetings and Reunions - Providing a Central Point of Contact for Missileers AAFM Newsletter Volume 29, Number 2 June 2021 Executive Director’s Corner In the last edition of the AAFM newsletter we focused on what was ahead for Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBM) in the future with a feature article from the Ground Based Strategic Deterrence (GBSD) Program Office. As we lead up to our National Meeting in Salt Lake City this October, we focus this edition on the men and women of the 309th Missile Maintenance Group who provide Depot support for the Minuteman III system - they play a critical role in ensuring Minuteman III can last until GBSD is deployed and then will play a critical role in the deactivation of Minuteman. In our next edition, just before our meeting, we hope to focus on the men and women of the Minuteman III Program Office who have been critical to the sustainment of Minuteman for the last 60 plus years. We continue our series on members then and now. Maj Cory Kuehn just PCS’d from Minot to a position in the war room at USSTRATCOM. His experience is contrasted with Col (Ret) Lamberth Blalock, who worked in the same office in the Strategic Air Command in 1991-1992. If you are active duty and would like to highlight your current job, send me a note at [email protected] and I’ll send you a list of questions as part of the feature. In case you didn’t see the news, Lt Gen Tony Cotton has been nominated to become the Commander of Air Force Global Strike Command when General Ray retires this summer. This is fantastic news and once again puts a missileer in charge of the Air Force’s nuclear enterprise. On a sad note, we lost another senior leader - Lt Gen Dirk Jameson passed last month in Texas. Gen Jameson was a career missileer who was the first commander of 20th Air Force when it was reactivated as the missile numbered air force, and he was the DCINC USSTRATCOM, before retiring. At last week’s Board of Director’s Meeting, the board approved four Operating Instructions to include our Strategic Plan, our Recognition Committee OI, the Marketing and Communications OI, and the Finance Committee OI. Copies of these are posted on our web site. Comments are welcome. This week we celebrate Independence Day! While for many this is a day of backyard BBQ’s and fireworks, please remember that many brave soldiers and sailors gave it their all against the larger and more powerful Great Britain so that we could declare this day of freedom!

On the Cover - A new Missile Suspension System (MSS) for the LF. This new suspension system provides increased buffering and protection to the missile from ground shocks, in the event of a nuclear blast impacting the LF and missile. Replacement of the MSS is a seldom performed task in the operational missile field but is done after every fourth launch out of Vandenberg. A 583 MMXS team accomplishes these replacements, just one facet of the mission of the 309 MMXG.

In this Issue - National Meeting is On, 309th Missile Maintenance Group 1 Meet Your AAFM Members 4 All Those Other Things 6 Competition Patches, Museum and Grant Updates 9 The 20th Air Force Page 10 GBSD Update 13 Book Tour, Member Drive, New Members, Letters to AAFM 14 Missile Trivia Quiz, AAFM Heritage Store 15 Taps for Missileers, Patch Gallery, New Member Registration Form, 16 National Meeting Registration Form Inside Back Cover Reunions and Meetings Back Cover 1 Air Force Missileers The Quarterly Newsletter of the Association of Air Force Missileers Volume 29, Number 2 “Advocates for Missileers” June 2021

National Meeting is on! With COVID restrictions going away, we are on track for our National Meeting scheduled for Salt Lake City 6-10 October. Registration is open and you can even get access to the registration list to know who else is attending. Right now, our numbers are a little behind our Cheyenne meeting but we hope that registrations will grow over the next few months. Remember, the late registration fee kicks in on July 24th and the registration window closes on 8 September. We will have a wide variety of topics to discuss at our Members meeting on Saturday morning to include the future dues structure, our sponsor program, our scholarship program, the AAFM Hall of Fame, and the future of our newsletter. Your Board of Directors has been very engaged on each of these subjects over the last year and is looking forward to your input. More information on these topics will follow over the next few months. The schedule on Saturday is wide open after the Membership meeting for you to tour downtown SLC or get together is small groups 309th Missile Maintenance Group Emblem with your friends.

309th Missile Maintenance Group – Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow - Col Kenneth Benton, Commander, 309 MMXG and an AAFM Member, Will Ashworth, Director, 581 MMXS, Andrea Weeks, Director, 582 MMXS, Brad Miller, Director of Operations, 583 MMXS The 309th Missile Maintenance Group (MMXG) mission is to be a global leader providing Intercontinental Bal- listic Missile (ICBM) maintenance and repairs for an alert fleet of 400 ICBMs, 450 launch facilities (LF), 45 launch control centers (LCC) and numerous mission unique support equipment, Air Launched Cruise Missiles (ALCM), and a wide variety of conventional weapon systems. The 309 MMXG is a national asset, making vast contributions to our weapon systems which have been deployed for 60 years! Through cost-effective logistics planning and strategic implementation, the diverse Group of 700 civilian and active duty members is set to sustain the Minuteman III weapon, special support vehicles, and associated equipment to the year 2036 - and beyond, if necessary. By using continuous process improvement (CPI) tools through the Air Force Sustainment Center’s Art of the Pos- sible (AoP), the 309 MMXG consistently delivers top quality assets to the warfighter in a timely manner. In a resource con- strained environment with ever-increasing growth in readiness priorities, we have continually eliminated work stoppages, reduced flow times, and slashed costs. Time and money saved means war-postured assets are delivered on-time to our warfighters. Our devoted team of world-class professionals is committed to a culture of teamwork, accountability, respect, transparency, credibility, and engagement both vertically and horizontally across the Department of Defense (DoD) sustain- ment enterprise. Increasing production while decreasing costs has been the focus of the Group since its inception. On 24 February 2005, Headquarters (Hq), United States Air Force and Air Force Materiel Command activated the 309th Maintenance Wing (MXW) and assigned it to Ogden Air Logistics Center (ALC), Hill Air Force Base (AFB), UT. Designated as the Main- tenance Directorate (MA) since 2002, the 309 MXW, with over 6,000 personnel or about half of the center’s workforce, remained the center’s (and the base’s) largest subordinate unit. Upon activation, HQ 309 MXW and six maintenance groups assumed the responsibilities and workload of the former MA Divisions, e.g., for ICBMs, Aircraft, Commodities, Electron- ics, and Software Engineering. Increasing production while decreasing costs, primarily through Lean initiatives, Mainte- nance remained pivotal in national defense with transformational support for air combat and training operations worldwide. Since Ogden Air Depot’s beginning in 1940, its Maintenance organization worked through and with Engineering and a number of other internal and external agencies for war fighter support. Ogden continued to rely on all three ALCs and the Defense Logistics Agency for component parts. It remained part of the Working Capital Fund’s Depot Maintenance 2 Yesterday, today, and tomorrow … AAFM Newsletter As the DoD drives towards National Defense Strategy prior- Volume 29, Number 2 June 2021 ities focusing on great power competition, the 309 MMXG stands ready to enable the warfighters’ nuclear deterrence mission. 581st Missile Maintenance Squadron The 581st Missile Maintenance Squadron (581 MMXS) is part of the 309 MMXG at Ogden. The 581 MMXS is organized into three maintenance flights consist- ing of the following shops: Tractor-Trailer Programmed De- pot Maintenance (PDM), Rolling Stock, Air Conditioning, Power Support, Fabrication, and Transportation. Addition- ally, the support flight is comprised of planning and schedul- ing sections for logistical support. Work on the Improved Minuteman Physical Security System (IMPSS, The primary mission of the 581 MMXS is sustain- added to LFs in 1989. With the earlier versions of the security system, there were often false alarms that were generated due to wind blowing, ment of ICBM LF and LCC ground support systems, and birds, and other factors that would trigger the alarm. This necessitated the storage, handling, and transportation of Minuteman III a Security Force team responding to the site. The IMPSS helped to boosters and downstages. The squadron is responsible for significantly reduce these false alarms. the repair, overhaul, and modification of blast valves, shock Activity Group with millions of hours of work annually for isolators, launch enclosure door components, and various defense products and services. Historically, Ogden ALC other critical ground systems. The 581 MMXS overhauls, has sustained mission capable ICBMs, while reducing their repairs, and modifies multiple tractor-trailer combinations, MICAP (mission capable) rates by 70 percent and supply including the Payload Transporter III’s, Transporter Erec- backorders by half. Its 309th MXW’s 309 MMXG, formerly tors, Missile Transporters, and various other transportation the Maintenance Directorate’s ICBM Maintenance Division, related vehicles. The Squadron also provides missile and maintained and transported silo based ICBMs with over 600 booster transportation services to the northern missile wings, personnel assigned. Their work included tests and evalua- Vandenberg AFB, and various other destinations and con- tions at Vandenberg AFB, CA, and Rivet Minuteman Inte- tract facilities. grated Life Extension teams supporting three combat wings. 582nd Missile Maintenance Squadron The Group enabled missile and motor readiness, transporta- The 582 MMX is also within the 309 MMXG. The tion, storage and accountability, adhering to Strategic Arms 582 MMXS typically operates with an approximate budget Reduction Treaty requirements. Through the 309 MXW, the of $68 million and manages 80 facilities between Hill AFB Group worked closely with Ogden ALC’s ICBM Directorate and the Utah Test and Training Range. Although the 582 and, effective 24 February 2005, the center’s 526th ICBM MMXS only has just over 200 personnel, their mission is in- Systems Wing. Altogether they empower operational land- credibly diverse. The squadron is responsible for everything based ICBMs, including rocket motors and other missile components as well as support equipment; and executed age surveillance tests, including motor dissection and test. Over the last year, the team focused on the tenets of speed, quality, safety, and cost effectiveness. The 309 MMXG implemented bold and creative scheduling as well as CPI events to identify and resolve process system con- straints; ultimately increasing throughput to our warfighting customers. Through 8,889 quality assurance inspections, the group maintained an incredible 98 percent pass rate and mitigated product deficiencies. The group’s safety programs ensured maximum participation in education and preven- tion, while focusing appropriate resources to prevent pos- sible mishaps. In Fiscal Year 20 (FY20), the 309 MMXG produced over 1,500 war-ready assets, sustained 450 opera- The Launcher Closure Door is the massive structure that sits directly above the Minuteman missile which has been emplaced into the tional nuclear launch facilities at a 98 percent mission alert launch tube. Its design consists of 110 tons of a hexagon shaped cap rate, readied Emergency War Order essential vehicles, met of reinforced concrete and steel that is 3 and 1/2 feet thick. This 110 with full compliance the New Strategic Arms Reduction ton “door” has to be jacked up and then shored so members of the 583 Treaty, and generated $23 million for DoD’s Working Capi- MMXS can address any corrosion as well as grease and/or replace the axles and wheels the door rolls on. tal Fund. 3 583rd Missile Maintenance Squadron AAFM Newsletter The 583 MMXS includes four Geographically Sep- Volume 29, Number 2 June 2021 arated Units (GSUs) located at Malmstrom AFB, MT, F.E. Warren AFB, WY, Minot AFB, ND, and Vandenberg AFB. Both the squadron command section and production support flight are located at Hill AFB. The GSUs located at Malm- strom, Warren, and Minot perform PDM of each operational unit’s 150 LFs and 15 LCCs on an eight year cycle. The GSU at Vandenberg performs numerous maintenance activi- ties in support of the Operational Test Launch operations in support of the 576th Flight Test Squadron, and completes the ballistic actuator overhaul procedures for the entire weapon system. The PDM program on the Minuteman III began in 2016, and we have completed PDM operations on 57 LFs and 6 LCCs yearly since 2018. The 583 MMXS has Water and corrosion are the enemy in the missile field. Here implemented Art of the Possible principles to map out our members of the 583 MMXX remove corrosion from a launcher processes, identify constraints, and build gated process ma- closure door before repainting it. chines. One of the biggest constraints faced this past year from aging and surveillance testing for ICBMs to PDM for was the hyper focus required to control, mitigate, and protect everything on the Minuteman III minus the physics package. our human resource commodity during the COVID-19 pan- The 582 MMXS also has the only high fidelity test complex demic. To minimize this constraint, the 583 MMXS imple- for the MMIII weapon system, and they provide a full PDM mented changes based on local Health Protection Conditions on ALCMs. The squadron also provides the nation’s only and segregated the PDM teams to ensure the workforce re- Minuteman III Missile Mishap Response Team (MMRT) mained safe. Creative scheduling was fostered to minimize charged with safely recovering Propulsion System Rocket personnel exposure to each other, while ensuring 100 percent Engines (PSRE) and missile motors involved in mishaps. coverage of LF and LCC PDM, as well as provide the right There are six flights within the squadron. There is attention to COVID-19 protocols. This kept our personnel a production support flight, flight systems repair, ALCM, as safe and protected as possible, and enabled the maintain- PSRE, missile motor, propellant analysis flight, and the Stra- ers to complete depot maintenance within the 67 flow day tegic Missile Integration Complex. Seventy percent of the requirement, and sustain the planned eight-year maintenance efforts within the 582 MMXS are focused on Minuteman III. schedule for 450 launch facilities distributed across 31,000 The other 30 percent supports other USAF programs, the US square miles and five states. Navy, and contractor workloads. The squadron is looking Additionally, the GSUs perform unscheduled depot forward to the future and is prepped to support the Ground maintenance by utilizing Maintenance Assistance Requests. Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD) as it comes on line. These requests are routed through the Air Force Global Strike Command (AFCSC) and through our primary customer, the ICBM System Program Office. One example of this type

Another shot/angle of jacking up and shoring the 110 ton A member of the 583 MMXS working on the axle/wheel on the launcher closure door 110 ton launcher closure door AAFM Newsletter 4 Volume 29, Number 2 June 2021

Col Blalock Maj Kuehn

quarters assignments in Air Force -- administrative officer at Lockbourne AFB, OH, a tour in Southeast Asia as Section Squadron Commander; assignments in the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) field as Crew Commander, Wing Instructor/Evaluator at Whiteman AFB, MO, and Headquar- ters Evaluator/Analysis Section Chief, 3901st Strategic Mis- A Hard Day’s Work - members of the 583 MMXS (must be Malmstrom based on the backdrop) with a launcher closure door sile Evaluatioh Squadron, Vandenberg AFB, CA. after refurbishment but before removing the shoring July 1982 - August 1987 - Pentagon, Washington DC, Chief, of work was recently completed by our Minot GSU. They Missile and Ground Safety and Chief, ICBM Force Pro- replaced seven sets of crushed underground Improved Min- gramming, Directorate of Programs and Resources. uteman Security System cables, which had created Security August 1987 - August 1989 - Minot AFB, ND, Chief, Stan- Forces guarding requirements for 14 Defenders. Each cable dardizaion/Evaluation Division and Commander, 740th replacement took two full days of maintenance in harsh win- Strategic Missile Squadron. ter temperatures clearing ice from frozen conduits to access August 1989 - July 1994: Offutt AFB, NE, Headquarters, the effected cables. Following replacement, each Defend- Strategic Air Command (SAC) and US Strategic Command er was released from their respective LF for other security (USSTRACOM). postings needed within the missile complex. August 1989 - March 1990 - Chief, ICBM Missile Concepts While PDM is the primary mission of the 583 Division, Directorate of Strategic Planning. MMXS, our team’s extensive experience in the Nuclear March 1990 - June 1991 Executive Officer, Directorate of Enterprise enables us to perform other types of workloads Force Employment Plans . which potentially provide a “one-stop-shop” for nearly any June 1991 - June 1992 - Chief, Weapons Review Branch, major component of this weapon system. With parts and JSTPS. equipment that have not been manufactured in 50+ years, June 1992 - October 1993 - Deputy Chief, Force Applica- we utilize our talented machinists to build many of the items tions, Plans Directorate. that simply have no original equipment manufacturer. These October 1993 - July 1994 - Associate Director, Strategic items include launcher closure bushings and axles, Ballis- Planning Modernization Office, Plans and Policy Director- tic Actuator Rod End (tuning fork), launch tube drain line ate. transitions, and debris bin handling kits. This is all made July 1994 - December 1997 - Headquarters Air Force Space possible through close knit partnerships with the 414 Supply Command, Peterson AFB, CO, Chief, Force Applications Chain, ICBM Systems Directorate, and AFGSC. The 583 (ICBM) Division, Deputy Director of Requirements, and MMXS stands proud and ready to support GBSD and looks Deputy Director for Plans and Programs. forward to further showcas! October 1997 – May 2015 - Colorado Springs and Magna, UT, various positions at Alliant Launch Systems culminat- Meet Your AAFM Members ing in a role as Vice President and Deputy, Strategic Pro- This is the third in our series matching an active grams, ATK Aerospace duty AAFM member with a retired/discharged member. May 2015 – Present, Parker CO, Independent Defense and This quarter, we focus on two officers, one who served on Aerospace Consultant the Joint Strategic Planning Staff (JSTPS} and another who How did you get into the missile business? is there now. While serving in Southeast Asia as a Section Squad- Col (Ret) Lamberth W. Blalock ron Commander for a Tactical Fighter Wing at Korat Royal Current Position: President, LWB Consulting LLC Thai Air Force Base I was talking with a Security Force Missile Assignmentd: Major. I noticed his master missile badge. He asked if I December 1971 - July 1982 - Served in various line and head- intended to make the Air Force a career. When I said yes he 5 about Cold War military history and ICBMs in high school. AAFM Newsletter When I joined the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps Volume 29, Number 2 June 2021 suggested that I needed “Operations” experience. Since I at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, the could not fly he suggested I look into becoming a Missileer. university’s library had a lot of ICBM history documents; And as they say the rest is history. The best decision I ever most being from Grand Forks AFB after the missile wing made! there was deactivated. So, after reading through those Tell us about your JSTPS assignment: documents my interest in ICBMs grew even more. I was a I was assigned to the JSTPS during a very interest- history major so I continued to study and read about nuclear ing time – the dissolution of the Soviet Union. In a very short strategy, deterrence, and ICBMs (a passion I still continue time we entirely re-built what was then called the Single today). This is also where I initially read and learned about Integrated Operations Plan (SIOP). Nearly every ICBM, SAC’s “Looking Glass” Airborne Command Post and sea launched ballistic missile, and nuclear capable aircraft JSTPS (jobs I aspired to do and eventually was able to do and tanker had to be provided new targeting assignments. I in my career). When I found out I was assigned to what was had the honor to brief then Chairman of the Joint Chief of then called the Space and Missiles career field my senior Staff, General Colin Powell, on the process and the targeting year in college, I was excited, despite the negative attitudes changes that were made. I considered it a great honor to be the career field had at that time. I also knew that I wanted to selected to brief him and recall his relaxed and appreciative try and stay in ICBM/nuclear related jobs as long as I could demeanor. due to my interests. Thankfully, the Missileer career field What got you interested in AAFM? separated from the space career field several years ago, so I Every Missileer should join the AAFM. A very was able to continue doing nuclear related jobs. good way to keep in touch and continue to support the ICBM Tell us about your JSTPS assignment: career field. I work in USSTRATCOM/J53, the Nuclear Mission If you could share one thought with our readers, what Planning Division, which is responsible for deliberate and would it be? crisis action planning for the nation’s nuclear war plan. Being a Missileer not only prepared me for progres- Specifically, I work in the Production/Quality Review sion within the Air Force but for a life after the Air Force. section. There is so much to describe about the job, but I am excited about the future of the ICBM force. The Air I basically synchronize the production flow of target Force has a hard task to maintain the current Minuteman development, aimpoint construction, weapon application, while preparing for the next generation ICBM, the Ground and plans delivery for the all three legs of the nuclear triad in Based Strategic Deterremt. This provides today’s Missileers the nation’s nuclear war plan. I also conduct detailed cross- with outstanding career opportunities. I encourage you to checks to ensure all targeting actions adhere to national and take advantage of these opportunities. USSTRATCOM guidance. In addition, as an ICBM Force Employment Planner, I am responsible for coordinating and Major Cory Kuehn selecting target assignments for the entire ICBM force. Current Position: ICBM Force Employment Planner What got you interested in AAFM? Missile Assignments: I came across the AAFM Newsletters and other 2008-2013 - 10th Missile Squadron (MS), 341st Operations resources when I was researching ICBMs in college so that’s Support Squadron (OSS), and 341st Operations Group what initially got me exposed to AAFM. When I became a evaluations shop, Malmstom AFB. MT include instructor, Missileer, I loved it so much that I wanted to be part of a evaluator, Flight Commander, Emergency War Orders group of Missileers that shared a common bond and helped (EWO) Planner, and EWO Plans section chief. preserve ICBM heritage. 2013-2017 - 625th Strategic Operations Squadron, Offutt If you could share one thought with our readers, what AFB, NE, flying on USSTRATCOM’s “Looking Glass” would it be? Airborne Command Post and operating the Airborne Launch I’m proud to call myself a Missileer and excited to Control System (ALCS), servomg in multiple positions in see the career field changing and getting better over the years. the squadron and USSTRATCOM battle staff to include It’s an honor to follow in the footsteps of prior Missileers ALCS officer, intelligence officer, nuclear strike planner, and inspiring to see young missileers go on their first alert instructor, evaluator, and flight commander. and use their ingenuity to improve things. The future of the 2017-2021 - Assistant Director of Operations, 740 MS, amd career field and the defense of our nation is in good hands! 91st Missile Wing, as the Director of Inspections and then as the Wing Inspector General, Minot AFB, ND. April of 2021 - present - USSTRATCOM’s Nuclear Mission Planning Division, also known as the “Air Room.” How did you get into the missile business? I have always been a history nerd and started reading 6 Many of those cold weather items came in handy AAFM Newsletter while removing snow from the driveway, while we ice Volume 29, Number 2 June 2021 skated on the ponds civil engineering built behind our base houses or ice raced with our cars on the pond in Michigan, on Highway 2. Those of us with sports cars decided we needed a good winter activity, and ice racing proved to be a good one. Of course, having cars meant we had other things, block heaters, tank heaters and long extension cords. At One Version of the Air Force Parka home, it wasn’t a problem, but during 24, 36, 40 and 48 hour alerts (we tried all those combinations) it was good to have a place to plug in. This was especially true if you ar- rived back at the support base at 0330 and it was minus 40. Around Building 306, the four story blockhouse that was home to the 321 SMW, there were a lot of places to plug in, but not quite enough for the whole crew force and all the maintenance teams. Part of the problem was that some All Those Other Things – by Col (Ret) Charlie of the outlets never worked, but there just weren’t enough. Simpson, Executive Director Emeritus Some folks had innovative solutions. Back in the day of Over the history of the Association of Air Force screw-in fuses, people would replace a fuse with a screw-in Missileers (AAFM), we have covered a lot of aspects plug outlet and use the outlet in the parking place next to an of missile duty, from the history and background of each inoperative outlet. Of course, on occasion, that overloaded missile system to stories about things like food, uniforms, a circuit or two. Then there were those who brought long transportation, alerts and maintenance dispatches and much extension cords, unplugged cars in slots with outlets, and ran more. You can easily go back and browse all these articles their cords across the lot to their cars. My solution to that in our Newsletter Archives at afmissileers.org. There are a kind of thievery was easy – I had a pair of diagonal cutters in lot of parts and pieces to missile duty, no matter what your my car, so I cut off their plug and coiled the long extension job. Many of them are not unique to missile duty, but a lot cord on the hood of their car. of them are. A few of those pieces are discussed here, as just Some of us didn’t need the plug-ins. My crew com- some of “those other things” that were and are part of life as mander, Joe Lear, had an old Renault Dauphine sedan that a Missileer and as a member of the Air Force. I am sure you he would take to work. I lived just a block away, so we rode remember many more. together in his car for alert, while I often drove when we had Let’s start with some of those things we had to carry office duty or were in the missile procedures trainer (MPT). around, some just on the job, and some all the time. For those Joe’s Dauphine was so old and loose that the engine would of us who served – or now serve – in cold country, which always start, even when not warmed by a block heater. For now means most missile bases, we are well familiar with insurance, Joe kept a couple of cans of starter fluid handy in cold weather gear. For you folks who spent a career in the the car. I don’t think the engine ever got warm between 306 desert at Davis Monthan, sorry you didn’t get to experience and our houses, but we were dressed in our cold weather some of this “cold weather joy.” When I got to Grand Forks gear, and we always got home. My almost new Jaguar E- in May 1965, as one of the first crewmembers assigned to Type, on the other hand, only like to run when it was warm, the 321st Strategic Missile Wing (SMW), a couple of days so it was essential that I found an outlet with power. That before the Memorial Day snowstorm, I was issued a ton of car took three heaters – a tank heater for the cooling system, gear. First, and most important, the sage green Air Force a battery heater and a small interior heater/fan on the passen- parka, complete with the snorkel hood lined with wolf fur. ger floor. I only had to tow it home once the first year, when We also got a set of parka pants to match (although some got I forgot to plug in and the temperature dropped 50 degrees blue pants), big white insulated boots (so big it was difficult between lunch and quitting time. to work the clutch and brake pedals in my cars), wool socks We had a few “extras” for our uniforms, too, both and gloves, four pair of long underwear (the kind with for ops and maintenance. Those of us who wore white cov- the waffle weave that was visible under your Mess Dress eralls or blue two piece uniforms wore colored “scarves,” uniform), fur hats, leather gloves and heavy Arctic mittens. really dickies that snapped around the neck and tucked in un- During my tenure at Grand Forks, we were required to wear der your chin. Each unit had a distinctive color, and over the the whole ensemble if we flew to alert on the H-19s or the years, squadrons added logos and symbols. We decided one later UH-1s. We also had to have the parka, or a civilian day that all of us evaluators needed something spiffier than equivalent, in our car trunk, along with a winter survival kit, the dull gray we had been using, so we picked gold. There any time we left the base. were no gold scarves anywhere, so a number of Missileers 7 or blue, depending on which squadron you were in. The ear AAFM Newsletter flaps were too short, so did little to protect ears on those very Volume 29, Number 2 June 2021 cold days. Of course, that is when the fur hat that was part of the cold weather package came out. Over the years, we have gone back and forth from baseball caps to regular uniform headgear, including blue flight caps to camo utility caps. Safety has always been extremely important in the military, and missile sites offer lots of unsafe opportunities. In some systems, we had emergency showers and eye wash fountains in case of a hazardous spill. We had all sorts of emergency breathing devices. The Chemox, in the big red suitcase, was most known to the ops folks, and always a part of each evaluation. The evaluator told you, “You see smoke Mine Safety Appliance Chemox coming from…” so you donned the Chemox. In the early and wives spend one evening cutting shiny gold drapery fab- days, there were no exercise canisters, so we got to light ric, sewing dickies and installing snaps on each one. up a lot or real emergency canisters. I had one fail after We wore special pins on those scarves, HQ Pins, about ten minutes during a missile competition exercise at awarded for consecutive Highly Qualified ratings on stan- the 1969 Olympic Arena. One of the 3901st Strategic Mis- dardization evaluations. At Grand Forks, they were two- sile Squadron evaluators realized I was woozy, and the bags tone blue with gold numbers - other wings had different col- were inflated but only with recycled carbon dioxide, so we ors. I got to wear a 7, but thought I deserved a 10 because, took a short break before continuing the exercise. Titan II as an Alternate Missile Combat Crew Commander for over folks and many maintenance troops are more familiar with two years, I had several checks that were really two checks the Scott products, the ScaPac (spelling?) and the Scott Air each time – one with my crew commander and one with my Pack, one a small emergency oxygen breathing device scat- deputy. The maintenance folks had patches, for excellence tered around each complex, and the other a full backpack as a maintenance team member. There were a variety of oxygen walk-around device. There were a few other brands patches, many of them posted in the AAFM Patch Gallery and versions of emergency breathing devices over the years, on our web page. but these three were most common. We had some other additions to the uniform, too. Of course, staying safe also meant all kinds of spe- For years, we wore those little black dosimeters to detect cial requirements for us when we operated vehicles, entered radiation exposure, and for a while, we had dog tags. I think sites or worked some difficult maintenance task. When you someone wise decided that since we never had a positive checked out your crew vehicle or maintenance van, some- radiation reading on all those dosimeters, they really weren’t body had to do a walk around while someone else activated necessary. We had dog tags, which I assume are still around. the lights, the brakes, the turn signals and any other lights In some units, you wore a tag in your boot laces. or systems that needed to work. And we never backed out Speaking of boots, how many folks had steel toed without a “wing walker,” someone watching so we didn’t shoes or boots? Early in my missile career, some safety ex- back into another vehicle or a building. And of course, the pert decided that there were a lot of heavy things that could Transportation Control Center (TCC) followed our every fall on your foot, so we were issued combat boots, ankle move, from prior to departure to arrival al our destination, boots or regular uniform shoes with steel toes. I still have complete with periodic radio checks so TCC knew we were a pair of lace-up boots in the garage that I was issued in my still “shiny side up.” Titan I days. Since we couldn’t just walk on to a missile site, we Then there was headgear. In the early liquid fueled had a lot of security procedures. In my first assignment, we systems, including Atlas and Titan I, we all had hard hats. used access code words and duress code words. Before de- When you walked in the sometimes tight confines of a Ti- parting the base, a stop was necessary at the Security Control tan I tunnel, it was good protection. The color of your hard Center (SCC) to get the words for the day or the trip. It hat depended on where you worked – white for the leaders, might be a single word for access and another for duress, or blue for operations, gray for maintenance and several other a response to give when the security force member stated a colors for safety, civil engineers and others. Most of us had certain word or phrase, a challenge and response situation. a Strategic Air Command (SAC) Stripe on our hats. We had Pity the poor soul who mixed up the access and duress words all sorts of different caps to wear, too, depending on which – he quickly found himself and his team face down with operations or utility uniform you work. In the early days at weapons pointing at them. For a while in Titan I, we needed Grand Forks, when we still wore white coveralls, we were two sets of words, the first for access through the gate at the issued leather baseball style caps, complete with fold down site entrance, the other to use when we talked to the crew on ear flaps. In our case, they were white and either red, green duty to get access through the entry portal. 8 1960s, as part of the maintenance analysis program, we had AAFM Newsletter to fill out time cards to document maintenance activity and Volume 29, Number 2 June 2021 manhours, even in Job Control, where I worked. We started using computers in operations for standardization evaluation reports, the old SAC Form 104 that we filled out with pen or pencil. One of my jobs while I was an evaluation crew was to enter all the 104 data by using one of the big, old, elec- tromechanical keypunch consoles. It was a slow process, entering each line entry from a crewmember’s 104 onto a separate punch card. It gave us a report each month so we could compare errors and writeups. We still carried a lot of paper, even into the last part of the 20th century. We had paper shot records, those yellow cards that listed all our vaccinations, flu shots and more. We had a government driver’s license, a military identification card and, in some cases, a line badge. At Mountain Home, SAC ICBM Master Technician Patch the missile squadron was housed in the missile assembly and Minuteman came along, and brought one time use maintenance shops (MAMS), which was really an old B-47 code pages with it. Now we had to stop by SCC, get our nose dock. Since this hangar was inside the secure flight line pages, and use them when we arrived at the site, usually with on a SAC base, everyone in the missile squadron had to have the Security Controller as we stood at the launch control fa- a line badge to get to work. Some other bases were similar, cility gate, or, in maintenance, with the duty crew by radio while others had the MAMS or the other missile buildings or landline for launch facility entrance. The fun part was located outside the secure areas. burning those little sheets of paper in the burn boxes near the We all remember the paper we had to carry with us gate, especially in a minus 40 degree, 30 knot wind. We all when we changed stations. You out processed at the base know that a few unburned pages from North Dakota prob- you were leaving, using a checklist that had to be signed off ably ended up in South Dakota or Kansas. by what seemed like every office on base before you could For those of us in operations, one of our most im- move to your new base. During that out processing, you portant personal items was our “Dash One,” the technical were entrusted with two important packages – your person- order we used while on alert. We each had our own bind- nel records and your finance records. Neither of those were ers, customized with our idea of tabs, usually using colored digitized at the time of many of my changes of station. I Dymo Tape. We had a collection of grease pencils to mark assumed, and hoped, that there was a backup copy of both the steps on each checklist on the acetate covers for each those packages somewhere – I suspect that, if there was, it page, and we had clips with flags so we could mark a check- would still take months to get your personnel records updat- list step if we had to leave one checklist to go to another. We ed or your pay straightened out at the new base. I do know also had to ensure that tech order was always current – no- that Base Finance wasn’t always really sharp on handling body wanted an evaluation error because an “A-Page” check the pay, especially the direct deposits into local banks. At showed a personal copy was not current. Of course, it took Mountain Home, there was a Colonel Simpson and a Lieu- a special suitcase, the tech order bag, to carry the binders, tenant Simpson – one month, I got his check deposited into grease pencils, tabs and everything else back and forth to my account, and he got mine. I knew I didn’t get that large alert. of a pay raise, but it took way too long to get it squared away. The maintainers had it a little different – tech orders Like most enlisted members and junior officers, I lived pay- came in sets or boxes, and were with checked out for a spe- day to payday back then, so a pay delay was really a prob- cific dispatch or were part of the kit assembled before leav- lem, We all survived all those issues, but it did make life ing the base. Like General LeMay said long ago, “We need more complicated. a checklist for every task and every person.” There were many more of those “other things” and Many of us started our single tour or our career as a I am sure many oth them still exist - and many have been Missileer before everything was digital. The only comput- replace by new, digital-world versions. Missile duty always ers we knew were part of the weapon system – they were was great duty, with great experiences, and all these “other big, slow and complicated. We began to digitize some rou- things” just add to our experiences. tine processes when I was at Grand Forks in the late 1960s, and I took a programming course as part of the Minuteman Missile Education Program, but not much of our day-to-day routine was computer oriented. I think maintenance came first, because even in Titan I at Mountain Home in the early 9 AAFM Newsletter a dash 14 and 22. We are also looking for a Security Volume 29, Number 2 June 2021 Police “Peacekeeper” vehicle.” You can reach David at [email protected] or at Missile Competition Patches at 20 AF (256) 399-7568. Many thanks to those of you who responded to our last request and provided Missile Competition patches for the 20 AF display. We are still missing 1967 and 1970 patches. Our next display will be for Guardian Challenge - we have all of the patches with no gaps! Our last display that we really need help on is for the Missile Competition Winner patch - we need the following: 1967 (was made only for Grand Forks), 1969, 1970, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1993 If you have any of these patches and are willing to donate to the 20 AF display, please reach out to Monte Watts at [email protected] 2020 Museum Grant AAFM Board member Bob Kelchner presents a 2020 Museum Grant check to Cynthia Macha, Direc- tor, Western Museum of Flight in Torrance, CA while Joe Provenzano, Museum Docent watches.

Museum Donation Mrs Ralph Spraker donated a 1972 Olympic Arena jacket, along with other memorabilia, to the FE Warren Mu- seum in honor of her husband, Maj Gen Ralph Spraker, the Discovery Park Titan I first President of our association and a founding Life Mem- Your Newsletter Editor recently visited the ber. Gen Spraker who passed in December. Discovery Park of America Museum and Education Center Museum Curator Ms Daniek Long accepted the in Union City, TN. This superb facility has dinosaurs, autos, jacket from AAFM Board member Monte Watts (also the military and space equipment, Tennessee history and much camera man) who coordinated the contribution. If you have more on display, and runs extensive education programs for missile memorabilia that you would like to find a home for, young people. The museum was the idea of Robert Kirkland, please contact Monte at [email protected] the founder of Kirkland’s Home Furnishings. He and his wife funded the park with a large gift, in his home town of Veterans Memorial Museum Union City. Former 740th Missile Squadron crew member Da- The Titan I missile and a Titan II Rentry Vehicle are vid Jaeckel writes: on display. The Titan I was on alert at C-Site at Mountain “I am a teacher and I volunteer at the United States Home AFB, ID, from 1962 to 1965. The display also includes Veterans Memorial Museum in Huntsville Alabama (memo- the second stage engine nearby, as well as an interactive panel rialmuseum.org). We are trying to create a missile display that allows a viewer to initiate a launch sequence and hear honoring both operators and maintainers and I need help. I sound effects, including engine firing, while standing below am trying to find uniforms, tech orders and any other missile the missile. The Space Gallery features the Titan II Mark 6, memorabilia. The idea for the display is to start with 3 or 4 along with memorabilia from astronaut Hoot Gibson, who missile ops and maintenance that will be displayed in a glass was from the local area. case. I would like to include a tech order bag complete with 10 edge and past duties are all considered. The Once Airmen are selected and arrive at Vandenberg, the hard work begins. “Testing and acquisition are not typi- 20th Air Force cally in our wheelhouse,” said Carter. “The job here is not Page just test operations; we have to teach incoming Airmen pro- gram management as well because we get involved in a lot of programs from the beginning. We have to understand the different colors of money, how integrated test teams work, things that a lot of other Missileers wouldn’t necessarily know.” Since the program’s inception, there have been more than 400 TOP HANDers. Currently, there are 24 active members. Capt Kirsten McKenzie is an instructor of ICBM test operations, the program lead for Simulated Electronic Launch – Minuteman (SELM), a SELM test manager, and a TOP HANDer. Although she wears multiple hats, her job as an instructor is to focus on growing and developing the ICBM test operators. “When new Missileers first get here, they go through a Missile Qualification Training program, which was recent- TOP HAND program members at the 576 FLTS, Vandenberg ly redeveloped,” said McKenzie. “Inbound test operators SFB, CA. (US Air Force photo by Capt Ieva Bytautaite) receive training on each of the five test missions we - per TOP HAND - The Program, the Air- form when they arrive. This enables our newest members to receive effective and consistent objective-based training of men, the Legacy - By Capt Ieva Bytauaite, 20th Air Force ICBM operational testing. Once this is completed, they are Public Affairs ready to begin testing the weapon system!” Maj Mark Carter settled into a chair at the ICBM To officially become a TOP HANDer, all Airmen go Heritage Room, located at the 576th Flight Test Squadron through a patching ceremony. To become a patched member, (FLTS), Vandenberg Space Force Base (SFB, CaA. Behind Airmen are required to know the traditions and history of the him, a wall filled with black and white and color photos, program, as well as all of the mission sets of the 576 FLTS, and other Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) memo- and brief the information to current members. rabilia told the stories of the past and present ICBM opera- “A TOP HANDer is expected to be well-versed in tors, members of the family known as “Missileers”. Carter, software, SELM, Operational Test Launch (OTL), Future who is an Assistant Director of Operations at the 576 FLTS, Programs, and Tactics Development & Evaluation (TD&E), is also the senior member of TOP HAND, a professional de- and how they interconnect with each other,” said Carter. velopment program housed at 576 FLTS. “Not only that, but a TOP HANDer must be able to go into What is TOP HAND? detail about each topic.” TOP HAND has roots dating back several decades. The briefing usually lasts a couple of hours, and It was established in April of 1972 as a program to provide each test mission’s subject matter expert is on the board. Af- selected missile operations officers program management ter the briefing, the board members give a recommendation experience in ICBM Test and Evaluation. Until recently, it to the 576 FLTS commander, and he or she makes the final was a boarded program, meaning that those who wanted to recommendation. join had to submit an application and were board selected. A recent change was made to allow missile main- Only a select few became part of the TOP HAND program. tainers, both officer and enlisted, to apply to the program. Those selected are referred to as “TOP HANDers”. “We don’t currently have any maintainers that have “The whole premise of the program is to build gone through the program but it is available to them,” said weapon system experts and to take great missileers and teach Carter. “If you are interested and are accepted, we will as- them something they’re not familiar with.” said Carter. “So sign a mentor and if you wish, you can go through the patch- when you get a TOP HANDer, you are expected to get some- ing program.” one who knows the weapon system through and through.” Being a TOP HANDer The selection process “Our mission here at the 576 FLTS is to do test op- Although Airmen are no longer selected by a board, erations, and the TOP HAND program is the professional the selection process, which is now done through Talent development and mentor piece,” said Carter. “Being in TOP Marketplace, is very competitive. A thorough records re- HAND consists of the test operation mission and learning view, comments from past commanders, education, knowl- 11 and sisters I work with. I could not get through the hardships AAFM Newsletter and challenges that I’ve faced if it had not been for these Volume 29, Number 2 June 2021 wingmen.” about the entire ICBM enterprise.” Words of wisdom When the opportunity is available and the mission To those Airmen who have considered applying to allows, TOP HANDers will go on professional development the program or have only now learned about it, the TOP temporary duty. They visit the nuclear national labs at San- HANDers wanted to share a few words of wisdom. dia, Lawrence Livermore, Los Alamos and PANTEX. “Always have a curious mind, try to focus on hav- During the visits, they receive in-depth briefings on ing a love of learning and having a growth mindset,” said each lab’s mission and how they apply to test opera- McKenzie. “You don’t have to know everything right away; tions. ask questions, and listen. You learn so much by asking ques- “We also perform TDY missions in Utah because tions. And always follow it with empathy and kindness.” we accomplish software testing there,” said Carter. “In addi- “This is the place to be if you want to expand on tion, we may TDY to Kwajalein Atoll and to the Pacific Mis- your weapon system knowledge, learn a new skill set with sile Range Facility in Hawai’i to learn how all our sensors tests and program management,” said Popp. “It’s a lot of and radars work.” work but it’s very rewarding. This mission affects the opera- Besides a lot of travel, the operational tempo at tor, maintainer and warfighter every day.” the 576 FLTS is very high. The squadron, which is mostly known for its MM III operational test launches, is in charge The Golden Contributions to the Mis- of four other ICBM Operational Test & Evaluation (OT&E) sion - Capt. Cory Seaton, Chief of Future Operations and Programs, programs. These programs include SELM, software testing, 20th Air Force future programs, and tactics development and evaluations The views expressed in this commentary are the author’s per- (TD&E). sonal opinions and not a reflection or an endorsement by the United Capt Tanner Popp, a TOP HANDer and flight com- States Air Force. mander for test operations, has been at the squadron for The sentiment “OG is the mission” is often heard a little over four years. After completing his crew tour at in many Air Force Specialty Codes. The operations group, Malmstrom AFB, MT, he became a TOP HANDer. Although whether at a flying or missile wing, is stereotypically seen he didn’t know too much about the program and the other as THE mission that matters most. All the missions that sup- missions besides OTLs, what he’s loved most about his cur- port and enable the OG (Operations Group) to do their job rent job and the program is learning more about all aspects are often seen as “only” support. This sentiment, although of the mission sets. often said without any negative connotations in mind, can be “I work with a ton of really smart people and they’re harmful and alienate Airmen from feeling like they’re a big, go-getters,” said Popp. “Learning the maintenance mission, integral part of the mission. networking with the broader ICBM community, getting a Full disclosure, this commentary leans very heavily taste of acquisitions, how that process works - have been the on Simon Sinek’s Golden Circle described in his book, Start best aspects of my time here. Getting to know all the people With Why. The Golden Circle is the model that Sinek uses to who make the ICBM mission successful, besides just the op- explain how legendary leaders were able to inspire, instead erators or maintainers, has been eye opening.” of manipulate, in order to motivate people. He states that The TOP HAND family the leaders that start with explaining the WHY they do what The TOP HAND group is small. With only 24 active they do, inspire more than leaders who start with explaining members, their busy jobs keep them on their toes. But they WHAT they do (Sinek, 2009). still find time to bond and continue decades-old traditions Think of the Golden Circle as a bullseye, with three that have been passed down through the years. rings. WHY is recognized as the bullseye, with HOW and “We have a lot of traditions. In fact, all the TOP WHAT following in the second and third circle respectively. HANDers sign their name on the bottom of this table,” said Traditionally, leaders think, act, and communicate with an Carter, as he pointed to the conference room table adorned outside-in construct; they explain what they do, how they by the TOP HAND shield. “Most of us have pulled alert to- do it, and the why they do it. In his book, Sinek goes on to gether at some point, but here we have missileers from all explain that this is because it’s easier to explain the tangible three missile wings.” WHAT upfront, than it is to explain the sometimes fuzzy McKenzie, who came to the squadron shortly after WHY. He has connected that the leaders who inspire flip having a child, was excited but nervous about the operation- this paradigm on its head and communicate with an inward al tempo and the TDYs. out style start with explaining the WHY they do what they “It was challenging at first, but being here has helped do, HOW they plan to do it, and WHAT exactly they are do- me grow vastly as an officer, as a leader and a manager,” said ing. McKenzie. “What has made my time here are the brothers It may be that as the Air Force has pushed for group AAFM Newsletter 12 Volume 29, Number 2 June 2021

and squadron identity, the unforeseen cost has been that as well. However, the OGs are not alone in this lost sense of many have lost their WHY. While award ceremonies are WHY; many groups have focused so heavily on WHAT they full of statements meant to boost and showcase morale, they do, that they have distanced themselves from understanding show an underlying benign belief that one group or squadron the other groups’ contributions to the mission and its objec- is more important than others. Whether that sentiment starts tives. with “if you ain’t ammo, then…” or that “the OG is the mis- From an ICBM perspective, the WHAT the OG does sion,” the underlying sentiments are there. Those who spout is provide 24/7/365 nuclear deterrence and on order, conduct those lines only identify with the WHAT behind their mis- global strike. That is what they start with when people ask sion objectives, not the WHY. For example, the OG is the them what their mission is. While that may answer the ques- face of WHAT we do as a macro organization. However, to tion, that does not answer the underlying question. The next say that the OG is the mission is an antiquated approach to question is HOW do we do it? The deterrence is provided an evolving mission. by sending operations crews to the launch control centers While thinking of my own leadership philosophy (LCC) for a specific period of time. These two questions are as a missile combat officer and taking a deep dive into the easy to answer. But WHY do we continue to provide this Golden Circle, I have come to the conclusion that each group deterrence/strike? With the Cold War over, WHY do we still on base represents a different ring within the circle. need this mission? The OG is WHAT we do, the Maintenance Group To say the OG is the mission completely negates and (MXG) and Security Forces Group (SFG) are HOW we do undermines the important work that the MXG and the SFG it, and the Mission Support Group (MSG) and the Medical do to support the mission. The MXG and the SFG represent Group (MDG) are the closest to the WHY we do it. I believe the macro HOW the mission gets done. Without the mainte- the WHY we get up every morning and lace up our boots is nance, the missiles would be unable to stay mission ready. to protect every American and their way of life, inspire con- The MXG keeps the missiles at such a high readiness due to fidence in our allies across the globe and to deter aggression the hard work the maintainers do every single day. Yet, this that is detrimental to our populace. PEOPLE are THE mis- still does not explain WHY all the missile field personnel, sion; everything we do in the various Air Force mission sets spread throughout the OG, MXG, and SFG, perform their is designed to accomplish strategic and tactical objectives duties miles and hours from their families every day; more for that mission. to follow on that. Saying that the OG is the mission screams of a lost The SFG maintains physical security of our nuclear sense of WHY we do this macro mission. This statement is assets. They are the ultimate backstop that provides nuclear a result of a thought process that permeates around the AF, security for America’s nuclear deterrence. This enables not just the missile community, but the aircraft community the American public to have high confidence and live the 13 mission is not one group; it is all the groups working in a AAFM Newsletter perfectly symbiotic environment. Without the WHY, the Volume 29, Number 2 June 2021 WHAT and HOW are irrelevant. lives as they are accustomed to. This mission objective is We have truly lost our way as a macro organization if accomplished by thousands of Airmen spread across the we think that one group is “The Mission.” The true mission is three missile wings that encompass roughly 35 thousand WHY we do what we do. Protecting the American PEOPLE square miles. and the American way of life is the WHY. WHAT we do To say the OG is the mission complicates the WHY is provide credible nuclear deterrence to defend our nation we do what we do. The WHY we do this mission is simple against our adversaries. HOW we do it is through manning and uncomplicated and is force wide, yet is not stated often LCCs 24/7/365 and ensuring that the missiles are perfectly enough. The WHY can be stated as follows: we do this maintained and secured effectively to provide safe, secure, mission to protect the American PEOPLE and the American and reliable launches when ordered. The WHAT and HOW way of life. PEOPLE are the mission, PEOPLE are the WHY are what US Strategic Command, Air Force Global Strike we do what we do. Command, 20th Air Force, and the missile wings always say There are two groups on base that are more closely when asked about the mission. However, they rarely ever linked to this WHY, and I do not think they truly realize it start with WHY we are here providing a nuclear deterrence and are vastly underappreciated. The MSG and the MDG blanket. By performing our mission, we are protecting the are the two that are more synonymously linked to the WHY, American PEOPLE and our way of life from all adversaries albeit in a micro sense. - past, present, and future. If we start with WHY we do The MSG carries the WHY throughout every one of this mission, we get to the foundation, WHY we need to its squadrons. The Force Support Squadron (FSS) supplies modernize and WHY we need this mission set. food for every other group via the dining facilities and the Capt Cory Seaton is the Chief of Future Operations and missile alert facilities. FSS provides living quarters for Programs at Twentieth Air Force, Francis E. Warren AFB, those that are required, or choose, to live on base; whether WY. He currently oversees the Strategic Integrated Calendar that be in the dormitories or privatized housing. The fitness and the Long Range Plan for Intercontinental Ballistic center is staffed and supplied by FSS personnel and lines Missiles as well as the development and deployment of of accounting. Many OG personnel would not be able to both the second iteration of the Incremental Cryptography pass the AF mandated fitness tests without the services the Upgrade program and the Minuteman III Launch Command fitness center provides. Logistical Readiness Squadron not Center Block Upgrade program. Additionally, he is one only provides government vehicles for PEOPLE to drive on of the chief stakeholder interfaces between Global Strike the flight line and in the missile field, but also tracks the Command and Twentieth Air Force for the Ground Based non-mission capable and accepts deliveries of maintenance Strategic Deterrent program. supplies for the MXG. Civil Engineering Squadron maintains the infrastructure that PEOPLE rely on and live in. Without Works Cited them our facilities would be in constant need of repair and Seaton, C. (2021, April 29). Concept Board. Retrieved from concept- create an unsafe working environment for the PEOPLE. board.com: https://app.conceptboard.com/board/u989-xo77-66hy- u0mf-deei Contracting Squadron establishes, monitors, and oversees Sinek, S. (2009). Start with why: how great leaders inspire everyone to our industry partners while they complete specialized work take action. New York, New York: Penguin Group Inc. that we ourselves cannot do. Without the work that CONS Seaton, C. (2021, April 29). Concept Board. Retrieved from concept- does, our partners would look for work elsewhere. The board.com: https://app.conceptboard.com/board/u989-xo77-66hy- u0mf-deei Communications Squadron is essential to every aspect of the Sinek, S. (2009). Start with why: how great leaders inspire everyone to macro AF mission. Without the work they do the Air Force take action. New York, New York: Penguin Group Inc. would come to a screeching halt. Email would stop working and phones would be inoperative. GBSD Progress In that same vein, the MDG is also PEOPLE focused, Northrop Grumman successfully completed the and customer service based. Absolutely no one would be integrated baseline review for the Ground Based Strategic combat ready without the services the MDG provides. No Deterrent (GBSD), which is on track for initial operational one would be inoculated against the multitude of viruses that capability by 2029. The review sets the cost and schedule threaten to impact the mission. The MDG ensures the health baseline, identifies risk, and ensures there are mitigation of the PEOPLE via the doctors, nurses, and technicians there. plans ready for the program. It occurs within 180 days of The clinic provides a pharmacy that keeps PEOPLE healthy contract award. The company and the Air Force worked with prescription medicine. The dental clinic ensures that together early in the process to meet the deadline, according PEOPLE are able to eat the food that FSS provides without to a 7 April Northrop release The GBSD program will pain. include about 660 new missiles to replace aging Minuteman PEOPLE are the WHY we do this mission. This III ICBMs, along with upgrades to silos and alert centers. 14 AAFM Newsletter Letters to AAFM Volume 29, Number 2 June 2021 Address letters to AAFM, Box 652, Johnstown, CO 80534, or send by email to [email protected]. Letters may be edited, content/meaning will not be changed. No letters this quarter.

“Minuteman” Book Tour AAFM is sponsoring a book tour for author David Stumpf and his new technical history of Minuteman. Current plans have David going to Malmstrom, Minot, and Warren in August and Hill during our National Meeting in October. Check with your local Force Support Squadron (FSS) for more information. As there will be no onsite sales, the FSS can provide info on a wing discount for online orders in Tymo on his Tractor advance of the visit. David Stump’s new book on Minuteman is available for order at https://www.uapress.com/product/ Membership Drive minuteman/ Earlier this year we held a membership drive to boost With an introduction by Lt Gen (Ret) Jay Kelley,, our membership. We were successful in bringing in 46 new many AAFM members have made substantive contributions members as part of our membership. Randy Tymofichuk, to this effort. It’s a great historical reference everyone should gentleman farmer/rancher and Board Member (not riding a have on their bookshelf. As J. D. Huntley writes on the Caterpillar), seen above, was our winner followed by social back cover; “Even those who are extremely knowledgeable pages guru Dan Taverner. Most people forgot to give credit about Minuteman can learn a great deal from David Stump’s to those who referred them so a new contest will be done account”. later this fall. Until then, please encourage your fellow This is Stumpf’s second book on intercontinental missileers to go to our website and join at www.afmissileers. ballistic missile history. Titan II is still available on Amazon. org Stumpf also authored and edited the AAFM 1998 book, Air Force Missileers. New Members We continue to welcome new Members to our Association, as well as those longtime Members who have decided to convert from annual memberships to lifetime memberships. New Members can learn more about Member benefits by visiting the AAFM at afmissileers.org or by reviewing our Newsletter Archives that are part of the web page. New Members since 31 March 2021 - David Aqua David Hanson Brian Smit Stephen Blanchette James Jubilee Michael Stiff Kimberly Carr Gregory Maata Jeffrey Carter Gary McCauley New Life Members Pete Cook Doug Mingo Scott Cook Gary Morris Barry Hansen Dwight Courtney Jeffrey Moss Miguel Lezann Arn Davis Keith Mueller Daniel Depyatic Eamonn Needler Cheryl Gallegos Ross Reed Ellen Gill Steven Schultz 15 Missileer Trivia Quiz March 2021 Question - There were no winners of the March Quiz for the two missile competition questions: 1. Q: Which missile wing(s) had the best winning percentage during Missile Competitions that had all nine (6 MM and 3 Titan II) wings competing? A: Both McConnell and Whiteman AFBs had identical best winning percentage. Both won 4 of first 16 Missile Competitions (1967 - 1983) for a .250 winning percentage. 2. Q: What year did the first woman compete in a missile competition? A: 1975, in both Security Police and Operations exercises. AAFM Missile Heritage Store Send this form to PO Box 652, Johnstown, CO 80534 or go online to afmissileers.org See pictures on our store site Lapel Pins – any two pins $10, any 6 $25, and any 15 $50 Books Missile badge: Silver 1 ¼ inch A Cold War Legacy: Large, 700 page "Tribute to Strategic Basic___ Senior___ Master___ Air Command - 1946-1992" by Alwyn Lloyd. Many photos Missile badge with Ops Designator: and histories of specific events, organizations and more $30 Basic ___ Senior ___ Master___ Air Force Fifty: An Air Force Association coffee table book AAFM: ___ Cuban Crisis: ___ commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Air Force. Lots Minuteman II Alerts: 100___ 200 ___ of photos, unit histories, personal stories, but almost nothing Space: Basic __Senior:__ Master: ___ on missiles. $20 ___ LeMay: Warren Kozaks' "The Life and Wars of General Challenge Coins: $10 ea or 3 for $25 Curtis LeMay." $20 ___ AAFM __3901 SMES __Cuban Crisis ___ Broken Arrow : Second Edition of Joel Dobson's book on AAFM 25th Anniversary ___ the ‘61 B-52 crash $20 ___ Missile Competition (Guardian and Global Strike) Nuclear Express: Former SecAF and AAFM Member Tom Any 3 for $15 Reed's book covering nuclear weapons development in 2006___ 2008 ___ 2010 ___ 2011 ___ 2012 ___ every country who had or has a program $20 ___ 2014___ 2019 ___ AAFM’s Missileers and the Cuban Missile Crisis $15 ___

AAFM Logo: Prints: $15 each Brief case: $15 each _____ Cuban Missile Crisis A06 on alert ___ Ball cap: $15 each ___ Countdown 5,4,3,2 ___,1 AAFM Patch (3” or 4”) 2 for $10 or 5 for $25 The Guardians ___

Patches: $10 each (Most are reproductions) AAFM CD and DVD Collections: Subterranean Patch: ___ $10 each set or $25 for any 3 321 OSS instructor: ____ CD sets - AAFM and Historical Data ____ Early and Cuban Missile Crisis: ___ w/ velcro____ Airlaunched Missiles ____ Atlas D, E, F _____ 341st Missile Maintenance Squadron: ___ Titan I and II ____ Minuteman I, II and III ____ C 395th Strategic Missile Squadron: ___ Competitions and Peacekeeper ______GLCM ____ Strategic Air Command patch, 4 inch with SAC Strip: ___ Matador and Mace ___ 510 SMS: ___ 341 SMW/SW/MW 50th Anniversary: ___ DVD Sets - AAFM and Historic Videos ____ 389/706 SMW Patch: ____ Atlas D, E, F and Titan I and II ____ GLCM ____ 6555th Aerospace Test Wing: ____ Minuteman I, II, III and Peacekeeper____ Early Airlaunched Missiles ____ Full Size Missile Badges: $10 each Air Force Space Videos ____ Missile badge: SAC ____ Competitions _____ Basic___ Senior___ Master___ Missile badge with Ops Designator: SAC Memorial DVD - Dedication at Dayton ___ Basic ___ Senior ___ Master___ AAFM 2012 National Meeting at Malmstrom ____ The Groobers Missile Music CD ______Combat Crew Badge $10 each 16 Taps for Missileers

Lt Gen Arlen D. Jameson, an AAFM member, served in Minuteman and Peacekeeper in the 44 SMW, 341 SMW, 4315 CCTS, as commander of 90 SMW, 4 AD, 1 STRAD and 20 AF, at SAC and as Deputy Commander, USSTRACOM, and lived in Austin, TX Lt Col Joseph Carmena, Jr., an AAFM member, served in Minuteman maintenance in the 44 SMW and 821 AD, and lived in Baton Rouge, LA. New Missile Patch Gallery On 1 July, we launched our new and greatly improved gallery of missile related patches and insignia! This 12-month effort adds high-resolution images, detailed descriptions and makes accessible the vibrant history and stories behind the 4,787 images in 77 albums. The gallery serves as the authoritative source of truth about the emblems worn by those who where pioneers in Air Force missile systems, including the the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) mission, to those who serve to operate, maintain, secure and support the nuclear deterrence mission today. Whether you served in missiles in the past, with patches carefully sewn on your uniform, or currently wear a uni- form that includes a hook-and-loop backed patch, you share the same passion as others involved with Air Foorce missiles. You now have unprecedented access to the pictures and 580,000+ words telling the stories of the official and unofficial missile-related emblems. These snapshots in time show the dedication, resolve, respect, humility and sense of humor of the men and women who proudly wore these insignia that tied them to a common purpose and mission. We invite you to take a tour and come back often to explore the most comprehensive and detailed forum available. The Association of Air Force Missileers (AAFM) wants to share your stories. We hopes that visitors who might have other examples of our missile patch history that we may have missed or are recent additions to our missile legacy will consider donating patches, images and the summaries of their meaning for inclusion in this living gallery for future generations of Missileers. Details on how to submit are included in the gallery. Special thanks to AAFM members Greg Ogletree, Dennis Brooke, Gary Mead, Monte Watts, Larry Thompkins and Scott Muessig for their tireless dedication and uncounted hours of service to this project. We think you will agree that there is no comparable historical resource available anywhere else in electronic or printed format.

Association of Air Force Missileers - Membership Application Complete and mail to AAFM PO Box 652 Johnstown, CO 80534 or log on to afmissileers.org

Membership Categories - Free for Active Duty EnlistedAnnual ($20) ____ Active Duty/Student ($5) ___ Three Years ($50) ____ Active Duty/Student ($14) ____ Lifetime ($300) ____ (Payable in up to 12 installments) Name Phone

Address Email

City State Zip Rank/Grade

Awarded Missile Badge - Yes _____ No _____ Can AAFM release this information - only to members and missile organizations? Yes ____ No ___

Signature Active Duty ___ Retired ____ Discharged/Separated ____ Guard/Reserve _____ Civilian _____ Include a List your Missile Experience including Systems and Units - e.g. - Minuteman, 90 MW, Atlas 556 SMS, HoundDog 319 BW, etc. Include all higher headquarters, training, test, evaluation or other special assignments. AAFM National Meeting - Salt Lake City 6-10 October 2021 Hotel Reservations - We will be using two hotels, the Marriott Courtyard and Hyatt House, side by side in downtown. The hospitality suite and all dinners and meetings will be in the Courtyard. The rate is $99 per day including breakfast for two at both hotels. You can reserve your room online at www.afmissileers.org or call one of the numbers listed. The Courtyard reservation number is 801-875-4677 and use the code AF Missileers. Breakfast at the hotel you are staying in included. The Hyatt House reservation number is 801-875- 4677, use code AF Missileers. Breakfast is at the hotel where you are staying. Not Staying at the Hotel? - If you are staying in another hotel, RV reseort, with friends, or live in the area, you can attend any or all of the events. Complete the form for the events you would like to attend. Hospitality Suite - Open every day in the Marriott Courtyard when no other activities are scheduled, with snacks and refreshments and some items from the AAFM store. Registration fee covers suite operation. Attire - Casual dress for all events except for the Banquet: business casual (open collar shirts, coats optional, no jeans) Special Needs - Let us know of any special diet needs, accessibility requirements, etc. Schedule of Events – Wednesday, 6 October 2021 at Marriott Courtyard 1300 - Registration, Hospitality Suite open Early Bird $30 until July 23; then $35 1800 - Welcome Reception, pay as you go bar, $25 per person - at Courtyard Thursday, 7 October 2021 0700 - Breakfast (included in room rate) 0830 - Depart hotel for Tour of SLC area-bus and lunch $48 per person 1800 - Dinner at the hotel, pay as you go bar - $30 per person - at Courtyard Friday, 8 October 2021 0700 - Breakfast (included in room rate) 0830 - Depart hotel for tour of Hill AFB - $48 for bus amd lunch 1630 - Return to hotel 1800 - Dinner at the hotel, pay as you go bar - $35 per person - at Courtyard Saturday, 9 October 2021 0700 - Breakfast (included in room rate) 0730 - 0830 - AAFM Board of Directors Meeting - at Courtyard 0900 - General Membership Meeting Lunch at Courtyard - $20 per person. 1800 - AAFM Banquet with featured speaker and special program. - $45 per person, choice of steak, chicken, or vegetarian, pay as you go bar - at Courtyard. Sunday, 10 October 2021 0700 - Breakfast (included in room rate) 1100 - Depart hotel Registration Form - 2021 National Meeting Online registration at AFMissileers.org or via Mail with check to AAFM, PO Box 652, Johnstown, CO 80534 Name______Address______City, State, Zip______Phone______Number Attending______Spouse/Guest Name______Arrive______Depart______Special Requirements______(Enter names as preferred on name tags) ______Number Amount Number Amount Registration fee-$30/35 eac ______Welcome Reception- $25 each ______Thursday Tour $48 each ______Thursday Dinner $30 each ______Friday Tour $48 each ______Friday Dinner $35 each ______Saturday Lunch $20 each ______Banquet $45 each ______Number of each Steak___ Chicken __ Vegetarian __ Special meal requirements (specify)______Total Amount ______

For Base Tour For Active/Retired Military or spouse with ID card - Full name and SSN Member: ______SSN ______Guest: ______SSN ______For those without active/retired ID cards, Full Name, State Driver’s License No and last four digits of SSN Member______DL No______State______SSN Last Four______Guest ______DL No ______State ______SSN Last Four ______

Association of Air Force Missileers PO Box 652 NON PROFIT Johnstown, CO 80534 US POSTAGE PAID Change Service Requested Permit

Reunions and Meetings \390 SMW Memorial Association - 22-26 September 2021 in Tucson, AZ. For more information: Contact: John Lasher, 520-886-3430; Dick Kampa, 520-747-7592; Joe Brown, 520-886-2379 or [email protected].

Association of Air Force Missileers 2021 National Meeting - 6-10 October 2021 in Salt Lake City, UT. See page 17.

Plan your unit reunion in conjunction with our National Meetings and let AAFM take care of all the details. Get your reunion notices in early so we can help spread the word. Keep in mind that a significant number of our members do not use Facebook or email, so include a telephone contact number in your announcement.

Keep your mailing address, email address and dues current with AAFM. Email us at [email protected], call 719-351-3962, or mail toAAFM, PO Box 652, Johnstown, CO 80534 AAFM is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization under section 501c(3) of the IRS Code. The AAFM Newsletter is published quarterly, printed by Minuteman Printing, Torrance, CA, with proofreading by Black Cat Copyediting (With help from Janet Gecowets for June). Board of Directors - President - Gen (Ret) Lance Lord, Aurora, CO Vice President - CMSgt (Ret) Mark Silliman, London, OH Secretary - Col (Ret) Tom Cullen, Colo Spgs, CO Treasurer - CMSgt (Ret) Shane Finders, Bossier City, LA Maj Gen (Ret) Don Alston, Cheyenne, WY Col (Ret) Bernard (Jock) Dodson, Jr., Draper, UT CMSgt (Ret) Hank Habenick, Cottage Grove, OR CMSgt (Ret) Bob Kelchner, Torrance, CA CMSgt (Ret) Mike Kenderes, Santa Maria, CA Maj Gen (Ret) Bob Parker, San Antonio, TX Col (Ret) Randy Tymofichuk, Layton, UT Monte Watts, Monument, CO Executive Director - Col (Ret) Jim Warner Newsletter Editor - Col (Ret) Charlie Simpson Association of Air Force Missileers, PO Box 652, Johnstown, CO 80534 719-351-3962 afmissileers.org [email protected] or [email protected]